Daily Devotion

Be United From Within

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This is when ideas, thoughts or intentions only stay in the brain but do not get translated to action. Alternatively, it could also be a prompting from an inner voice or the Word of God, but the flesh doesn’t act upon the prompting. Ever experienced it? I have. I had some firsthand experiences and I believe it’s likewise for many people. But do you know why it happens? Who or what is that inner voice? Do humans have two parts to our being- the spirit and the flesh? I had all these questions and they have been finally answered!

A few months ago, I took up a module with Rhema@River, a Bible training program at our church. The lessons point me back to the Word of God to search for the answer to all my questions. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 records: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse shows us that humans are made up of three parts- the spirit, soul and body.

The body is the physical one that we see in front of the mirror. It has all five senses- sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. It’s also often known as the flesh. Soul and spirit are commonly thought to be the same. But they are not. The soul consists of our emotion, will, mind, logic and reasoning. Soul is one that is self-conscious, whereas the spirit is one that is God-conscious. The spirit in us is also called the inner man. Before receiving Jesus into our lives, due to sin which separates us from God, the spirit man is considered dormant. After we receive Jesus, the spirit man comes alive and is the one who God communicates with. God communicates with us so that we can lead a godly and abundant life.

In communicating, we need to ensure that our words and actions are aligned to our thoughts in order to achieve the intended outcome. Likewise, we need to ensure that our soul and body are aligned to our spirit. This is because our spirit man is the one who is guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God! Therefore every aspect of us needs to be aligned and united with God!

Our spirit man needs to grow in order to be sensitive to God, so that we can be aligned and united with Him. We need to have spiritual food by reading the Word of God daily. In all relationship building and strengthening, regular time spent together is essential. This is the same for our relationship with God; we need to spend time with Him daily in prayer, worship and fellowship in order to know Him better. Then we’ll be able to be sensitive to His leading.

2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Our spirit man becomes a new creation when we receive Christ. However for many of us, we still feel, think, look and behave the same. This is because our soul – which consists of our emotions, attitudes, will and mind – have not yet been changed. But that is not what God desires for our soul to be. Instead God teaches us in His Word in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” The renewal of our mind with the Word of God changes our attitudes, thoughts and emotions.

As the spirit and soul follow God’s leading and unite with God, so must the body. Therefore, take heed of the leading of the Holy Spirit. Act upon the Word of God. Overcome any unbecoming fleshly desires by the Spirit and the Word of God!

As we begin the New Year, let every part of us be aligned and united with God! When we do so, we will be fruitful just as Jesus teaches us in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” Therefore let every part of our being remain in God, and be aligned and united with Him.

Let us pray.

“Dear Heavenly Father, I give thanks to You for Your word. I commit and surrender every aspect of my being to You. Renew my mind each day as I read Your Word. Help me to yield my flesh and body to Your Word, so that I may live a life that is pleasing to You. Thank You, Father. I pray all these in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!”